~The Flame From Within~

~The Forest~

I live right on the edge of town, next to the countryside, so when you need a break from the crushing reality of life and growing up, a nice walk in the forest nearby will give your mind a false sense of security for half an hour or so to keep you sane.

As my feet crunched through the icy snow, I came to the edge of the forest. By this time, it was just coming up to midday, so the bright sunlight was glistening off the sparkling ground below me. I enter the usual trail that's left by hikers and dog walkers. There didn't seem to be anyone here today, so I was going to have a bit of peace and quiet.

As I continued walking I swear I spotted something flicker in the corner of my eye, but before I could check it out, my phone rang:

"Hello?"

"Hi Laura, are you okay, where are you?" My mother said eagerly

"Hold on, hold on, I'm fine! Just going out for a walk to clear my head, when's dinner?" I asked.

"Okay, alright. Dinner's at half fou-" she cut off.

"Hello..? Mum?"I asked, suspiciously.

"I-I have to go..."

"O-okay.. Why?"
She was acting really strangely, I'd never heard her be like this...

"T-talk later..."

"Are you sure you're oka-"My phone beeped as she hung up. I'm starting to think I should turn back...

I turn around.

I saw another flicker through the trees. Black. Silent.

And another.

I look back quickly to where I was originally facing, all of a sudden fearful of my surroundings.

It was there.

The exact black figure that haunted my dreams. The swirling dark shadows. It was so much closer, only mere meters away. I heard a screeching sound come from the creature. It was almost indescribable, I started to feel sick, dizzy. Putting my hands to my mouth, I felt a warm thick liquid running down my face, my nose was bleeding. My head felt like it was going to explode and everything all of a sudden seemed to be happening at once. When would the screaming stop? When would it leave me alone!

I put my hands out in front of me, as if to stop it as it advanced slowly and steadily towards me. Almost as if it was taking it's time to kill me. I went cold. And all that felt warm was the palms of my hands. I felt them get warmer, the type of warm as you'd get into a nice hot bath, comforting.

Then a bright sparkling light blinded my vision.